Two construction firms benefit from apprenticeship sholarship

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Two construction firms have benefited from a national scholarship scheme which enables them to take on an apprentice who is entirely funded to work for them for 12 months.

The initiative was launched by leading construction audit, contract and payroll provider, Hudson Contract, to celebrate its 20th anniversary and also provide opportunities for two young apprentices hoping to take their first steps on the construction career ladder.

After receiving entries from construction firms across the UK, Hudson Contract’s judging panel awarded the scholarship to H&L Construction Solutions in West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire and Matthews & Leigh in Chorley, Lancashire.

As a result of the awarded funding, on-site carpentry firm, H&L Construction Solutions, has welcomed Joe Ladbery (21) who will start his apprenticeship whilst attending his place at Oaklands College in St Albans. Construction and civil engineering firm, Matthews & Leigh, is now able to take on Jordan Goulding (18) who is about to start his Level 2 Apprenticeship in Construction Operation at Preston College.

Emma Hunt, Office Manager at H&L, said: “Joe is one of the first apprentices we have ever taken on. We’re a young company, so fully financing the course, with day release, would have been extremely difficult. We really want to support young people in the area who will play an important part in growing our company, so we were thrilled when we found out we had won the scholarship scheme.”

Ian and Andrew Leigh, joint Managing Directors for Matthews & Leigh, added: “We really value the contribution apprentices make to our company. They are the future of our workforce and it’s vital for them to have the skills and training they need to produce quality work and fully understand the industry’s health and safety requirements. To be awarded this scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for us as we recognise that today’s apprentices are to become the next generation of supervisors and managers, which is so important to the long-term growth of the industry.”

Ian Anfield, Managing Director at Hudson Contract, said: “For a long time we have been concerned about the lack of opportunities for young people trying to enter the construction industry. We hope that by providing these scholarships we shall see both Joe and Jordan realise their full potential and enjoy a long and successful career in the building trade.

“We had a high volume of entries, but H&L and Matthews & Leigh stood out as they demonstrated the important role an apprentice will make to their business moving forward.”

In addition to Hudson Contract’s 2016 scholarship, the company has supported local apprentices for many years. So far it has put 75 young people on their road to a construction career and will again be supporting a further 20 in the coming year